Tunbridge Wells has made a bid to boost its shoppers and tourists after setting up a new town centre management group backed by £250,000 from local businesses.

Royal Tunbridge Wells Together will employ a manager and administrator from April who will set up a plan to improve the trading environment.

The initiative, launched last week at the Assemble Hall Theatre, will be funded for the next three years after donations from 15 businesses in the town.

These include AXA PPP Healthcare, Arriva, Assembly Hall Theatre, Berkeley Homes, Cripps, Dandara, Fenwick and Thomson Snell & Passmore.

Co-founders Nicky Blanchard and Stephen Gurney outlined their vision for the initiative, which will try to make Tunbridge Wells a destination for retail, business, leisure and culture.

Ms Blanchard said: “I am delighted with the amazing response from local businesses to the launch of Royal Tunbridge Wells Together and very excited about what we can all achieve working together for the good of our town.”

William Benson, chief executive of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said: “Royal Tunbridge Wells Together looks set to be a great success.

“I was particularly pleased to see the number and range of businesses involved and their passion for promoting the huge range of things the town and wider borough has to offer.

“I have no doubt that by working together we will be able to develop an even stronger reputation for Royal Tunbridge Wells being a great place to work, live, visit, shop and stay.”